Xi Wen’s heart was filled with questions, but his face remained impassive. “Elder, did you summon me here to ask if anyone among the entrants possesses skills in strange contraptions and ingenious devices?”
“More than that,” Zong Yi said calmly, his demeanor unruffled. “Are there any among this group who brought children?”
Xi Wen was greatly puzzled, but he truthfully shook his head. “No, among those who entered this time, not a single one brought a child.”
“Alright, I understand. You may go.”
Zong Yi watched Xi Wen’s departing back, a faint hint of doubt in his eyes. If the individuals weren’t from the Lawless Land, then were the infiltrators of the Thousand Mechanisms Sect truly from the Seven Great Sects? Zong Yi’s heart was still filled with questions, even though he had personally witnessed that person scaling the wall into the Five Poisons Sect’s encampment, he still didn’t make a rash judgment.
Under Zefang’s protest, Xiao Man changed back into male attire. During this time, she went to the Spirit Snake Sect to seek an audience with Sikong Mo, but was informed that Sikong Mo was not present.
Just as Xiao Man was preparing to infiltrate the Spirit Snake Sect, she encountered Hou Wu and Hou Liu. Hou Wu quickly stepped forward, “Boss Xiao, you’re here. Are you here to register at the Spirit Snake Sect?”
“No,” Xiao Man’s gaze flickered. “Take care of the child for me for a while. I’ll come back to pick him up after I’ve finished my business.”
Hou Wu glanced at the child thrust into his arms and repeatedly agreed, “Alright, no problem. Boss Xiao, can I ask you a question?”
“What is it?”
Hou Wu cautiously asked, “Which of the Seven Great Sects do you plan to register with?”
“Hundred Herbs Hall.”
Hou Wu and Hou Liu’s eyes immediately lit up. After seeing Xiao Man off, they immediately took Zefang to place bets. Xiao Man’s odds were very high, at five to one if they bet correctly, it was simply too profitable!
Zefang did not walk with Xiao Man. He knew Xiao Man intended to infiltrate the Spirit Snake Sect. If even Sikong Mo was unable to move freely, it meant that someone capable of suppressing Sikong Mo had arrived at the Spirit Snake Sect. Sikong Mo was a cultivator at the Golden Core stage, so anyone who could suppress her would, at the very least, be at the Golden Core stage.
“Young master, shall I teach you how to play cards?”
Zefang looked at Hou Liu with disdain, and said in a childish voice, “With your skills, you lose so badly you have to get off the table. You dare to teach me? Where do you get such courage?”
Hou Liu’s face was filled with a curious smile. “Does the young master know how to play?”
“It’s simple. I’ll help you win money, and you help me with a favor,” Zefang said with a smile.
“Alright, if we win money, then whatever the young master commands.”
The Hou brothers took Zefang to a gambling table, playing dice and guessing odds.
The Hou brothers were regulars at the casino, losing more than they won. Today, they even brought a child, which immediately made some people mock them, “Hou Wu, are you out of money? Did you bring your son to trade for cash?”
“Pah, don’t talk nonsense!” Hou Wu spat. “Today, I will definitely win a fortune!”
“Keep dreaming. Be careful you don’t lose your underwear.”
The people in the gambling house found it amusing. After all, the Hou brothers had lost so much money here, they had even lost their clothes on occasion. Not a single person took his words seriously. After all, every gambler who entered a casino wanted to win a fortune, but the reality was losing all their assets.
However, today, the god of fortune seemed to favor the Hou brothers exceptionally. The Hou brothers guessed the odds, and each guess was accurate, truly winning a fortune!
Xiao Man had been to the Spirit Snake Sect once and knew Sikong Mo’s room. She immediately sneaked into the Spirit Snake Sect. Because it was the first day of recruitment, everyone’s attention was on the enrollment. The guards in the courtyard were surprisingly lax. After all, not many people had Xiao Man’s courage to dare trespass into the territory of a Golden Core powerhouse.
Sikong Mo was meditating in her room but felt restless. She desperately wanted to go out and deliver the message to Xiang Jian. However, to prevent her from leaking any information, her senior brother had assigned people to watch her twelve hours a day. This made Sikong Mo both angry and worried.
“Senior Sikong,” a voice sounded in her ear. Sikong Mo’s eyes snapped open, but her expression remained unchanged. This young man was quite bold, daring to sneak into the Spirit Snake Sect. Wasn’t he afraid of being discovered and ending up dead!
“Leave quickly. If Elder Qu discovers you, you will be in danger.”
Xiao Man remained unfazed. “I received word that the Seven Great Sects plan to jointly eliminate Xiang Jian during the newcomer elimination round. Is this true?”
Sikong Mo sighed, “Yes, I wanted to send word to you long ago, but I was being closely watched. Fortunately, you’ve come. Tell Xiang Jian to hide in the Roland Mountains and not come out until the Seven Great Sects’ recruitment is over. Also, absolutely do not participate in the Seven Great Sects’ grand recruitment ceremony.”
“Senior Sikong, I dare to ask, who wants to take Xiang Jian’s life?”
“Didn’t Xiang Jian tell you?” Sikong Mo was somewhat surprised. She had thought that Xiang Jian would have told Xiao Man about his background.
“He didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.”
“This matter involves Xiang Jian’s personal privacy. I believe it would be better for him to tell you,” Sikong Mo said calmly. “All I can say is that his enemies are people the Seven Great Sects cannot afford to offend.”
“I understand. Thank you, Senior. I shall take my leave.”
“Xiao Qin,” Sikong Mo spoke again. “Have Shanyun, who is by your side, come to the Spirit Snake Sect. I may not be considered exceptionally outstanding, but I am willing to teach her with all that I have.”
“In that case, I will thank you on behalf of Shanyun, Senior.”
Sikong Mo couldn’t sense Xiao Man’s presence, nor did she know where she was. Their communication was through telepathic transmission. If it was before, her impression of Xiao Man was good talent. At this moment, she realized that Xiao Man’s abilities were not so simple!
As soon as Xiao Man left, Elder Qu arrived.
Sikong Mo closed her eyes and meditated, ignoring him.
Elder Qu sat down beside her. “Junior Sister, are you still angry with me?”
“I dare not,” Sikong Mo said coldly. She had no right to be angry.
“I know you blame me in your heart, but he can’t help you now, and he will only drag you down. You really cannot have any more contact with him,” Elder Qu said earnestly. “Haven’t you suffered enough because of him?”
“He did not harm me.”
“If it weren’t for him, how would you have ended up as an elder in the Seven Great Sects? You were supposed to be…”
“I did it willingly,” Sikong Mo said calmly. “Senior Brother, we were once such good friends. Others can persecute him, humiliate him, but we cannot.”
“I didn’t intend to persecute him. I just wanted you to stand by and watch, not get involved!” Elder Qu raised his voice. “Don’t you think death would be a release for him?”
“You are not him, so please don’t think for him. Whether he lives or dies, he should be the one to decide.”
“Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the right to decide,” Elder Qu said coldly. “Even if he came out of the Lawless Land, he would be stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage for the rest of his life, and would never be able to return to the Golden Core stage. You should know this better than I do.”